Following Stevie Nicks‘ two-episode run on last season’s ‘American Horror Story: Coven’ (as herself), ‘Lady Marmalade’ chanteuse Patti LaBelle is the latest superstar to join the already star-studded cast of Ryan Murphy’s ‘American Horror Story’ with this new season being subtitled ‘Freak Show‘.

This incarnation of the anthology series is set in Jupiter, FL in 1950 and will feature America’s last freak show, owned by Elsa Mars, a German expat (played by Jessica Lange, in her last outing as a series cast member).

In addition, other returning ‘AHS’ regulars include Kathy Bates, Angela Bassett, Frances Conroy, Sarah Paulson, Gabourey Sidibe and Evan Peters. Newcomers include Michael Chiklis, Wes Bentley, John Carroll Lynch and Finn Wittrock. Chiklis’ character is that of the show’s strong man and the husband of Bassett’s character, the ex-husband of Bates’ and the father of Peters’. Sounds like fans can expect to see Bassett and Bates back at each others’ throats this go-around!

Though LaBelle is mostly known as a singer, she has an extensive back catalog of acting jobs as well, including ‘A Soldier Story’, ‘Mama, I Want To Sing’, ‘A Different World’, ‘The Nanny’ and ‘Cosby.’ LaBelle’s role will not be musical on this series, to which she has signed on for a four episode stint.

She will play Gabourey Sidbe’s character’s mother, a local townie who investigates the mystery of the killer Twisty the clown (played by Lynch). But with her only signed for four episodes, don’t expect that to pan out very well.

LaBelle’s casting comes quick on the heels of the announcement that the Guinness Book Of World Records’ Jyoti Amge, the World’s Smallest Woman, would also be part of the new season. Now that is a natural fit for a ‘Freak Show’ as these types of carnival attractions often featured such figures.

What do you think? How well do you think this season will stack up against previous installments? Killer clown already terrifies me.

Jax Motes

Jax's earliest memory is of watching 'Batman,' followed shortly by a memory of playing Batman & Robin with a friend, which entailed running outside in just their underwear and towels as capes. When adults told them they couldn't run around outside in their underwear, both boys promptly whipped theirs off and ran around in just capes.